This blog is about the San Francisco Giants. Because they are currently hacking their way through Major League Baseball, it seems only appropriate to hack summaries and analysis by their side. If you happen to be a Giants fan, please bear with me as you have done so patiently with our beloved defending World Series Champions.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Medicine Goes Down: Upton Hits Walk-Off Homer, Arizona Wins 3-2

In the bottom of the 10th, with 1 out, the red hot Justin Upton yanked a walk-off homer off of Giants reliever Santiago Casilla, sealing a final score of 3-2 and giving the Giants a bitter taste of their own medicine. Giants fans have grown so accustomed to watching their team pull off voice-stealing walk-off victories that experiencing the other side, a walk-off loss, is like some sort of bizarro rehab--an intervention to the comeback addiction. But the slap felt good, reminded us that the gods don't always toast in our favor.

Ryan Voglesong had a strong appearance, as usual, as he gave up only a two-run knock to Chris Young in the 4th. Even though the Giants offense remained cold, Cody Ross managed to score on a throwing error by the Snake's catcher, Miguel Montero. That was all for both teams until Pat Burrell brought Pablo Sandoval home on a sacrifice fly in the top of the 9th. Soon thereafter, in the bottom of the tenth, Justin Upton took Casilla yard, dancing into the D-Back's scrum at home plate to end the game.

Nothing was especially horrible or amazing about the Giants' performance on Thursday night. They gave Arizona a run for their money by catching up late in the game but couldn't muster the consistency to go ahead. The hole in the lineup--Crawford and Whiteside--is the obvious issue. Crawford is an exceptional shortstop, and Whiteside gets the job done behind the plate, but both couldn't hit a joint if Timmy passed it to them. If the Giants are serious about playing in the post-season, a new catcher must be acquired--one who is a tad more consistent at the plate. Even though General Manager Brian Sabean said shortly after the Posey incident that he doesn't "think somebody's going to trade a catcher that's going to be better than Eli Whiteside," as time begins to dwindle in the regular season, he's likely to make a move. As for shortstop, Mike Fontenot should be rehabilitated by the All Star break. His offensive skills didn't prove outstanding at the beginning of the season, but he's had a decent bat throughout his career, and as beggars, we'll take it.

Lincecum starts against the Oakland A's on Friday and will try to shake his slump. A little run support from the Giants' offense could prove very useful to the staggering ace, as he matches up against A's rookie starter Graham Godfrey.